WARNING! Blatant boasting contained herein!
Toto’s “Term III Interim Report” came in the mail today. It focuses on attitude and effort, rather than academic achievement, and…. this is what it said….
(I’m sorry it’s so big… but I just had to make sure that you could read all of those “Always”‘s!!)
I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to read this! I was in tears when I first saw it. And that’s not because Toto is an unmotivated student, but rather because he has never been praised or recognised for his constant and persistent effort quite so succinctly before.
This is all about his new school, and what a great fit it is for him. His academic results have been improving at an amazing pace as well…. last week he received 47.5 / 50 for a History exam! And these things are SO connected.
At his Primary School (which Boo still attends and which I think is a fantastic school), Toto was never really understood. His teachers would look at his lack of academic results and assume that he wasn’t working his toosh off. His “hand in the air” was almost totally ignored during 5th grade, as his teacher simply did not like him as he is a sensitive child and has a tendency towards tears when he is anxious. His 6th grade teacher was much kinder towards him, but I always got the feeling that she wrote him off as an underachiever right from the beginning, and didn’t give him any opportunities to change her mind.
This year he is in his element. I have raved about his school before, and I likely will again, because I have seen SUCH a change in my darling boy. He now KNOWS that he can achieve whatever he sets his mind to, and is seeing the results in black and white. His teachers genuinely like him… and I think that that has made the biggest difference of all.
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The right school, the right teacher makes such a difference, I remember so well. Those teachers who cared, saw past the surface, they are the teachers you remember, 20, 30 or more years later, as will your boy I’m sure.
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Well done Toto , though you always have good reason to be proud of him, Fe, we can see why you are prouder still tonight.
With his self esteem soaring there is no telling what he can achieve …the sky is the limit
or not ? -
Wow, that’s great Fe!
Glad that you have two amazing young men in your life.
I would be proud too. -
Wonderful! Looking forward to giving him a hug. If he’ll let me!
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PS. Do they eat fritatta?
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If I don’t put mushrooms in it?
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Absolutely! xox
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Woohoo!!!
Congrats to you and your son Mama Bear.
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Well deserved Toto! It’s good to have a little vindication of those things you know to be true.
And, funnily enough, I know the feeling.
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Wow, that is so great. Well done Toto, and there is nothing more satisfying than feeling that you have found your feet and in your element. Long may it continue for him. I know how much of a difference it makes.
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Yay Toto! He sounds so very like my Rhubarb, as I have said before. We are having a very similar experience with Rhu’s Secondary School and it is such a relief. I know exactly where you are coming from.
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Fantastic news!! So lovely to see him excelling and finding the right environment to bring out the best in him. You have every reason to be proud of him (and yourself too)
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I wish all teachers understood how important positive feedback is. We do interim reports here too (we call them mid-term reports) each trimester – ours are optional, and intended to let the parents know if their child is having trouble in a particular class before it’s too late. They can also be used for positive feedback, but so many teachers choose to only send home negative ones. Of course it’s important for the parents to know if their child is struggling, but I think it’s equally important for them to know when their child is doing well. So I make it part of my job to send one home for every student – good or bad – and even on the bad ones I always try to find something positive to say in the comments section. A little bit of positive feedback goes a long way.
Congratulations to Toto on a job well done.
J
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that is so wonderful, long may the praise continue! Well done Toto. I’m sure support from an amazing mum has helped too.
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Fantastic! You go and BOAST girl!!! And WELL DONE Toto!!!
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how fabulous!!!!
well done Toto!!!
well done mumma!!!! -
Wow. that is great news. Sometimes it just takes a change of environment and a resetting of the clock to allow kids the opportunity to be themselves and shine.
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Go Toto! The school and teachers do make all the difference. My sister did not do well in school (for very different reasons). In her junior year of high school, my parents moved her to a private school where no one knew her (everyone knew everyone in our small community) and there were no preconceived notions of who she was and what she could do. From almost failing, she went to top of her class. It really is a wonder how much the “fit” of school and student matters. Toto muust be over the moon with this recognition.
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It sounds as though you are raising two fine young boys.
Congratulations to you and Toto.
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Way to go, all of you. I am so proud on your behalf
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so nice for you to see him happy and thriving! My oldest has had similar experiences, and is now doing well in her new school. Such a relief for all of us – from constant migraines and throwing up before school, to a happy girl. so glad toto is happy!
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That is awesome! You have every reason to be very proud.
Well done Toto
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